Ch.216216. Welcome! (2)

Lucien Greyhounter looked with concern at Yuria sitting beside her.

It was their regular prayer time. For her and Yuria, it was practically a daily routine.

Something so natural. Nothing to feel burdened about, no particular reason to struggle with.

“…”

But recently.

During these times, Yuria’s condition had been quite poor.

Subtle tremors ran through her body. The cold sweat on her clasped hands was clearly visible as she kept her eyes closed.

Sometimes she would mutter something, almost like sobbing.

This had been her state ever since Darwood lost consciousness once and then regained it.

‘…She must be regretting it.’

She must be feeling bone-deep regret about having harmed the same person twice.

That’s why she showed such traumatized reactions during these prayers.

As if confessing her sins to God.

“Yuria.”

“Yes, sister.”

“Darwood said he’s fine. He said it wasn’t your fault.”

After they had subdued Faynol Leiphec, who had gone berserk while hosting the Red Demon, Darwood had specifically called Yuria aside to make that clear.

That he was truly fine, so she shouldn’t feel guilty.

The fact that he felt the need to call her aside to say such things meant that even in his eyes, Yuria’s condition looked serious.

“…Yes.”

But.

As evident from Yuria’s weak response.

It was clear that such words alone couldn’t straighten her spirits.

‘…She needs some catalyst.’

To shake off this gloom that seemed to envelop her sister,

Lucien sighed and folded her hands again.

Focusing her mind toward the altar before her, she recited the prayer text with reverence.

‘…God, please.’

If asked whether she maintained proper faith, Lucien would honestly find it difficult to give a positive answer.

Still, she couldn’t stop praying sincerely for her sister.

‘Give Yuria strength to overcome this trial…’

And before that sentence could finish, as if in response to her prayer, the chapel door burst open.

“Here you are!”

“…”

No matter how much support from the Holy Empire had been cut off, Lucien still maintained her title as a saint.

There probably weren’t many people bold enough to rudely interrupt her prayers like this.

“…Miss Elia?”

So.

That meant someone recently appointed as a “hero” might be able to do so.

After being chosen by the Holy Knight, the Holy Empire had officially appointed Elia Krisanax as a hero. So the authority granted to this person was probably enough to commit this level of rudeness.

“…What are you doing here? You must be very busy right now.”

Of course, that doesn’t mean she should be doing this here and now.

Right after her appointment, there should be mountains of administrative procedures to adjust the interests of various countries befitting the hero’s position, but what was she doing here instead of groaning under that burden?

That was Lucien’s question, but Elia ignored it and strode toward Yuria.

“…Hero, this is our sisters’ prayer time. If you have business—”

“You were just digging yourself into a hole again, thinking ‘I hurt the teacher because of me,’ right?”

“…”

Lucien’s mouth fell open.

Wait.

What’s with this person suddenly?

“…Uh.”

Then Yuria also squirmed and avoided eye contact.

Well, it was true.

But that didn’t mean it needed to be stabbed so directly from the person herself.

Lucien was about to say something like that, but Elia’s voice flowed out first.

“Then we should save him!”

“…What?”

“If you’ve made mistakes twice, then you should help him once! Enough to completely wash away your guilt!”

“…What?”

Like a parrot, Yuria repeated the same word, and Elia strode toward her.

“Right now, Darwood is in grave danger.”

“…What?”

“He was taken to the Tristan Dukedom! For that ridiculous bet!”

“…”

Wait.

I heard that Yuria here also agreed to that.

As Lucien narrowed her eyes thinking that, Elia brought her face close to the increasingly flustered Yuria, her eyes sparkling brightly.

“So, let’s go save him! I couldn’t even imagine such a bet was happening without my knowledge!”

“…”

“That’s why I came to you, my most trustworthy friend!”

“F-friend…?”

A hint of color returned to Yuria’s face as she answered with a trembling voice.

Lucien flinched. It was an expression she hadn’t seen on her sister’s face for months.

‘…The atmosphere is a bit strange…!’

Should she leave them be?

Was this truly the special catalyst her sister needed, just as she had prayed for…?

As she swallowed dryly while thinking this,

Elia continued with the force of someone breathing fire.

“Let’s raid the Tristan Dukedom together!”

“…”

“Let’s go get Darwood back!”

Wait a minute.

How did we reach this conclusion?

With that thought, Lucien hurriedly opened her mouth.

“J-just a moment. I know you’re not seriously planning an actual raid—”

“Saint. I’m a hero now, right?”

“…?”

That’s certainly true.

But why bring that up now?

As Lucien blinked in confusion, Elia proudly thrust out her chest and continued.

“That means I now have the authority and power to directly confront the student council president!”

“…”

Lucien’s expression rapidly crumpled.

“No matter how great a noble of the Empire they may be, they’ll have to yield before the title of hero!”

“…”

To think such a person is humanity’s hope.

The future of the world looks bleak.

“…Miss Elia.”

Clearly.

In the past, when Elnore would make such impulsive moves, it seemed like Elia was the one holding her back.

“He who gazes long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into him.”

Lucien pondered the familiar feeling she got while looking at Elia.

Yes. Whenever she felt this way, she would say the same thing to that person.

“Yes, Saint?”

“Are you truly insane?”

“…”

Those who spend too much time with Darwood seem to be infected by him.

Lucien confirmed this as she held her head.

●

My entire body is exhausted.

I’ve just arrived at the domain, but I’ve already gone through a parade, speeches, a welcoming ceremony, and even a military band’s congratulatory performance all at once.

“…”

They wouldn’t go this far even for an imperial visit.

Why all of this…?

“Good work. Please follow me.”

Bella’s voice dropped onto my exhausted self.

“…Is there something else?”

“Just one last thing. After that, you can rest in your quarters.”

“…”

What else could there possibly be to do here?

Still, it’s fortunate that this is the last thing.

I follow Bella with an internal sigh.

‘…Hm?’

And in that moment, a window suddenly appeared before my eyes.

< System Message >

[ Conditions for the personal quest ‘Grand Chaos’ are being generated! ]

[ Number of important NPCs gathering at Tristan Dukedom: 2 / ??? ]

[ The quest will manifest when conditions are met! ]

“…”

Hmm.

I stroke my chin as I look at the window that appeared.

These days, quests often fly in front of me without any context, so I usually have to interpret what they mean myself.

Based on the ominous name “Grand Chaos”…

‘…It must be another woman trouble.’

I can figure this much out with my eyes closed now.

The naming sense alone reeks of the women around me getting deeply entangled.

The problem is.

[ Number of important NPCs gathering at Tristan Dukedom: 2 / ??? ]

“…”

Why isn’t the number properly displayed?

It feels like someone screaming in my ear, “Prepare to be even more screwed than you are now!”

‘…Hmm.’

Let me predict this too.

Probably, how many people gather will determine how chaotic this personal quest becomes.

If everyone shows up, it will likely be as chaotic as the name suggests.

‘And the probability that all the women around me will gather is…’

Not that low.

Right now, Elnore has declared she’ll invite me to her family home and devour me like a beast, and anyone who might go berserk at that is a potential threat.

In other words.

‘I’m screwed.’

[…I don’t know what you’re looking at, but why don’t you even sound urgent anymore?]

‘Well, it’s not like getting screwed is anything new for me.’

[…]

Calivan closed his mouth, seemingly at a loss for words at my casual response.

[You know. I’m glad you don’t seem to be losing your humanity completely like before. Overall, you seem to be holding onto your sanity.]

‘What?’

[But now I’m worried because you’re becoming a clear-eyed lunatic.]

‘…’

[It’s like you’re half enjoying it now…]

What are you talking about?

I walk to the end of the corridor while having this pointless conversation.

“We’ve arrived.”

Hearing those words, I look ahead.

“…”

My expression freezes completely.

The door in front of me was very familiar to my eyes.

Wait.

Am I allowed to be here?

“Bella. I have a question—”

Seeing her chilly expression, I immediately change my words.

“…Bella. Let me ask you something.”

Bella answered with a slight smile.

“Go ahead, Lord Darwood.”

“…Isn’t this the family head’s room?”

“So you know?”

“…”

Of course I know.

There’s only one person in the Tristan Dukedom who is called the “family head” rather than “duke.”

Leonid Leventador La Tristan.

The highest elder of the Tristan Dukedom.

Actually, he originally wasn’t from the Tristan Dukedom but was incorporated into it through marriage from another noble family.

“…”

And recently, there’s only been one major marriage like that.

Gideon’s marriage. The couple who gave birth to Elnore.

In other words.

This is Gideon’s father-in-law.

Also Elnore’s grandfather.

But why am I being taken to such a person?

“He said he wanted to meet Lord Darwood at least once.”

“…”

My expression slightly furrows.

I don’t understand.

No matter how much I try to recall Leonid’s settings or whatever, I can’t think of any reason why he would be interested in me.

“Please go in.”

“…”

However, I put aside my concerns at Bella’s urging from beside me.

‘…There’s no reason to avoid it either.’

If it’s someone related to Elnore, there’s no need to reduce their favorability.

With that thought, I enter the room.

A vast study.

A room that gives off the strong impression of a scholar’s research space.

“…Family Head.”

As I cautiously open my mouth after entering the room, the person across the desk turns their chair to face me.

‘…Wow.’

This must be what it means to age gracefully.

A level of appearance that would be understandable if he had been a movie actor in the world before my possession.

“So you’re Darwood Campbell?”

The voice that follows is also

“Pleased to meet you, Family Head.”

Leonid nodded expressionlessly at my words.

‘…This feels somewhat familiar.’

His demeanor, how should I put it.

It’s very similar to Elnore’s.

She probably learned it from him.

The entire family must tend to express emotions rather dully.

“Let me ask you one thing.”

Such a question followed.

“Was it you whom Elnore invited this time?”

“…?”

I don’t understand the intent behind the question.

I tilt my head inwardly in confusion.

But since it’s true, I acknowledge it.

“Yes. I’m always indebted to the Princess.”

“…I see.”

Leonid remained silent for a long time after hearing my words.

He continues.

He continues to be silent.

Then, breaking through that silence, a single sentence dropped in a flat voice.

“It seems your relationship is quite deep.”

“…Fortunately, the Princess has been kind enough to—”

“Then I will kill you.”

“…”

One more thing.

The tendency to make sudden aggressive turns without signaling must also run in the family.

●